SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 2

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

WEAKNESSES OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM. Sir,—ln a recent issue of your paper appeared an article under the heading "Education Campaign," referring to the "kick-oif"' meeting of the A'.Z.E.I, to enlist, public sj'mpathy in matters educational.' As an architect who has had considerable experience planning and designing school buildings both iu England and iu America, may I add a few remarks in support of this important movement? I think it is Jiigh time New Zealand parents woke to the fact that the educational methods, so far as they apply to tin housing and tho hygienic surroundings of their children, are far beliind the conditions in vogue in America and on the Continent. Education matters hers seem to come under the heading of "Anything is good enough"; in Canada and the United States they can be placed under tho title of >. "Nothing, is too good.". The lethargy shown iu this country towards the unsanitary, badly planned conglomeration of fire-traps dignified by the name of "school buildings" may well be contrasted with the anxiety shown by ratepayers elsewhere, to ensure that the local authorities do not orect new schools (even if brick or concrete exterior walls aro proposed} unless the whole construction of the building ho what is popularly called, "lire-proof." 1 will not trespass on your valuable space by discoursing on the modern principles of jchool planning, but if the N.Z.E.I, are interested I snail be only too happy to avail myself of an opportunity to go into this matter with them. I liavo made it my business when travelling this country to inspect various school buildings, and the conclusion I am forced to is that parents do not realise the dangers their children are daily subjected to, and the incalculable harm done to the health of tho coming raco. It would be invidious to cite particular cases, but on ono occasion 1 visited a boarding school for forty girls, where tho planning arrangements were bo atrocious that in caso of fire 1 doubt whether any of the inmates could cscape. AVhen one considers that at tho best fire-proofing is only a matter of degree, that steelframe buildings five and six stories high in the city of London have been smoking heaps of ruins in less than two hours, despite tho advantage of help from the London Fire Brigade, the realisation dawiis that it would be only a matter of a very few minutes from tho outbreak of fire before theso wooden fire-traps would be gutted, or at best all escape cut eff for the occupants; yet parents slcsp soundly, confident of iheir children's sufavy, because there are wooden fire-escapes. Ono day (or night) the holocaust will occur; then the few extra. shillings in rates that would have prevented it willseem very paltry besido the loss sustained. Such an accident would be a marked one,' but every day these fourth-rate buildings are undermining the health of their occupants. Overcrowding, improper and insufficient lighting, heating, and ventilation, unsanitary conditions in classrooms, cloakrooms, and lavatories, all have their effect in bad eyesight, enfeebled constitutions, epidemics, and dulled intellects. . Although in the main the rectification of these conditions lies in _ tho hands of the general public, still it is only fair to say the education boards are not blameless. Why do they not employ competent architects to design school buildings? Why is tho public money wasted in paying high salaries to former carpenters and overseers (designated sometimes as "architects to tho hoard") to prepare plans _ when they have never had any training as architects? "}ly their works ye shaO know them." Why have what may be called "stock plans" so that if a new building is required in a certain district one of these is copied and utilised, quite i> respective of the "orientation" or the suitability to climatic conditions? The only reasou 1 can ascribe to such short-sighted policy is that the boards consider they are saving inonoy in architects' fees, and, their own knowledge of school planning being limited, tlioy are satisfied with any arrangement that apparently gives what they consider required accommodation. Tc B?.vo a few pounds in purchasing knowledge they have wasted thousands of the people's money and ruined the physical capacity of many a child. Complaints have been preferred by teachers, sometimes an investigation or a visit of inspection made, and —nothing done. Thousands have beon wasted in alterations and in repairs to existing buildings _ which should have been condemned; instead of recognising that tbe first loss would he cheapest in the end. Tbe ouestion resolves itself into this: "What"is the most economical policy that will ensure the production of school buildings conforming to modern requirements, and suitable for all parts of New Zealand?" I submit to the Minister of Education that tbe solution will he found by his creating an Education Departmental architect, one with a thorough knowledge of the principles of scholastic, design; this architect to bo responsible solely to tho Minister for every new school building erected, and to be supported by efficient draughtsmen also experienced in *

this class of work. The education boards, instead of employing their socalled aijliiteets. will instead employ a competent clerk of works, to be first approved by tho said Education Departmental architect, and to be directly responsible to 'him for the carrying out of the drawings issued. By such means buildings 5o meet local requirements could bo handled with the minimum of expense and the maximum of results; open-air types of classrooms erectcci where conditions arc favourable, and the enclosed typo designed witli proper ventilating arrangements wnero, climatic conditions are moro severe. In every case the fundamental principles governing school buildings would bo incorporated, and ratepayers would realise that the Government had a definite policy, which was to see not onlv that every child in New Zealand had an opportunity of securing the best possible education, but that education should bo given and received under conditions producing the finest physical and mo'ital states. —I am, etc., CLAUDE JONES, Lie. R.1.8.A., A.R.A.I.C. Registered Architect.